DISASTER PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE AND RECOVERY

INTRODUCTION

The focus and legal responsibility of the disaster medical and health coordination effort at the county level is the Local Health Officer. In addition to the Local Health Officer (LHO), each operational area (county, cities and special districts within county boundaries) is required to identify an Operational Area Disaster Medical/Health Coordinator (OADMHC) to assist with preparation and execution of the county’s medical/health plan. While the LHO has overall responsibility for medical/health disaster preparedness, response and recovery, he/she may delegate many of these duties to the OADMHC. In some cases the LHO also serves as the OADMHC while in other operational areas these are two separate positions. This document and checklist is discussed in terms of the LHO’s responsibilities.

Upon declaration of a disaster by the appropriate agency, the LHO will report to the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) Medical/Health Branch, or the Health Care Agency/Department’s Operation Center (DOC) or other designated location as needed to carry out the medical/health function. The LHO may send a representative if he/she is unable to report in person. At a minimum, the LHO should ensure medical/health representation at the EOC.

Section 101040. The county health officer may take any preventive measure that may be necessary to protect and preserve the public health from any public health hazard during any “state of war emergency,” “state of emergency,” or “local emergency,” as defined by Section 8558 of the Government Code, within his or her jurisdiction.

“Preventive measure” means abatement, correction, removal or any other protective step that may be taken against any public health hazard that is caused by a disaster and affects the public health. Funds for these measures may be allowed pursuant to Sections 29127 to 29131, inclusive, and 53021 to 53023, inclusive, of the Government Code and from any other money appropriated by a county board of supervisors or a city governing body to carry out the purposes of this section.

The county health officer, upon consent of the county board of supervisors or a city governing body, may certify any public health hazard resulting from any disaster condition if certification is required for any federal or state disaster relief program.

Section 101475. The city health officer may take any preventive measure that may be necessary to protect and preserve the public health from any public health hazard during any “state of war emergency,” “state of emergency,” or “local emergency,” as defined by Section 8558 of the Government Code, within his or her jurisdiction.

“Preventive measure” means abatement, correction, removal or any other protective step that may be taken against any public health hazard that is caused by a disaster and affects the public health. Funds for these measures may be allowed pursuant to Sections 29127 to 29131, inclusive, and 53021 to 53023, inclusive, of the Government Code and from any other money appropriated by a county board of supervisors or a city governing body to carry out the purposes of this section.

The city health officer, with consent of the county board of supervisors of a county or the governing body of the city, may certify any public health hazard resulting from any disaster condition if certification is required for any federal or state disaster relief program.

The LHO should manage the event in accordance with the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), which is the official statewide method for disaster response management. According to the Emergency Services Act section 8607 (e) (1), “each local agency, in order to be eligible for any funding of response-related costs under disaster assistance programs, shall use the standardized emergency management system to coordinate multiple jurisdiction or multiple agency operations.” The SEMS structure provides guidelines for local and state agencies in responding to disasters and developing disaster response plans. (See Standardized Emergency Management System Guidelines)

This checklist is not intended to be regulatory or directive in nature. It is provided to stimulate discussion of and focus on the LHO’s functions and responsibilities in response to a natural or manmade disaster which may affect the public health of his or her county.

OVERVIEW OF LOCAL HEALTH OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES

PREPAREDNESS

Assume the role of the OADMHC or assist in the selection of that individual.

Utilize emergency information management and communications systems to support the medical/health disaster response.

Develop medical/health resource list to support regional requests for mutual aid. Include local, state and federal resources.

Coordinate with local medical/health officials and health care facility managers to develop plans to evacuate ill, injured and special medical needs populations to like facilities.

As possible, coordinate with local health care facilities to develop disaster preparedness exercises and training.

DISASTER RESPONSE CHECKLIST

Staff the Operational Area Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Medical/Health Branch. Assume the role of the OADMHC or designate a liaison or health care agency/department staff member authorized to make administrative decisions.

Perform an initial assessment of the medical/health needs and possible impact on available county resources. Areas of review should include status of health care infrastructure, injuries and deaths, extent of disaster, availability of shelter and access to potable water.

Contact the State Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA), Department of Health Services (DHS), and the Regional Disaster Medical Health Coordinator (RDMHC) to provide a brief overview of the event.

Request all mutual aid assistance through the RDMHC if mutual aid assistance is required. Include additional information which may help coordinate medical/health disaster response; routing, access problems, etc.